DEGUERLE (Jean Marie Nicolas). - Lot 82

DEGUERLE (Jean Marie Nicolas). Born in Issoudun. 1766-1824. Writer, author of l'Éloge des perruques. Manuscript A.S. "Deguerle" entitled "La Continence". S.l.n.d. 8 pp. in-4, accompanied by a L.A.S. "Deguerle" to citoyen Marroy. Paris, 8 fructidor an 8 [August 26, 1800]. 2 pp. 1/2 in-8 (spotting). La Continence, a 6-page verse piece followed by 2 pages of notes, is a licentious tale in the spirit of the 18th century, in which Laïs is the heroine. A Greek courtesan, Laïs wants to seduce the philosopher Xenocrates, the only man to resist her charms. But her stratagems fail...Excerpt (epilogue): ...Ne vit époux ronfler en plus joli duo. "The concert, one might say, was only for form's sake"? La friponne says yes, Xénocrate says no. With that Roman nose, that beard on her chin, Laïs can't imagine anyone sleeping next to her. In vain, her eye still closed, on the cautious cloak She strays a hand that gropingly walks: Nothing awakens "No, she says! (...). This marble is suspect. In this case, let's put our finger on it and dot the i's...". Then, softly, from a dead lamp, Laïs runs to revive the noctilucic glow; Then, from the too-smooth cloak, she spreads the flap, And, eyes wide open.... Ah! the trick is pleasant! Triumph at last, Laïs, the chaste man... is a eunuch...In the enclosed letter Deguerle gives indications for the publication of the tale, followed by a list of works: ...I have just reread the notes of the tale that you would like to have printed. All thoughts considered, let's leave them... Please only change the words I obey the precept at the end of the 7th paragraph of the last note. Say instead: I rely on the enlightenment of those who can say with the precept... If you'd like to add your note on the etymology of eunuch, and the figure, that would please me. You can also comment on the fact that I gave Xenocrates, in the text, a venerable beard, whereas eunuchs have no beard. But who knows if the philosopher wasn't a eunuch only because he had a beard. Don't forget this last thought, it's necessary for my justification... One more word. I would be very flattered if you would attach to my name a little note that you would sign and in which you would recall the various literary trifles that escaped my laziness: 1ère les amours 1 vol. in-18 ; Cailleau an 2 2° La guerre Civile, poème ; traduction libre de Petrone ; ornée du texte latin, et suivi de recherches (...) on the person and works of Petrone ; Desenne, an VII in 8° - 3° Eloge des perruques enrichi de notes plus amples que le texte par le docteur Akerlio ; an VIII, in-12 Crapelet 4° Stratonice et son peintre (...), Phryné devant laréopage, (...), plus a large number of fugitive poems and a few pieces of prose criticism in various newspapers. There are many things I ask of you, dear colleague; but I hope it's in return...